Page 50 of Brightness

My veins pump full of excitement as I bound quickly behind him. “Now? But everyone’s here—”

“No one will even notice we’re gone. They’re too busy drinking and socializing with the Miami chapter.”

He’s not wrong.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

He walks me over to a smaller motorbike than Reva, pulls the keys from his pocket, and dangles them in front of my face. “Do as I say. You ride slow, don’t draw any attention, and don’t do anything fucking stupid. Got it?”

I nod in complete understanding, then jump on.

Void grabs a helmet from the fence, pops it over my head, and straps it on. He opens the ignition switch, spins the key clockwise, then flicks the cover back over, turning it to ignition. The green light shines in neutral, then he moves back. “First thing you gotta learn is how to reverse. Kick up the stand, pull the bike upright, and walk back with your feet.”

I do as he says. It’s heavy, but not so heavy I can’t do it. I sit properly on the bike, duck-walking it backward. The surge of power roaring through me is second to none. I’ve never felt more alive than I do right now.

“Okay, now you’re in position, move to the right handlebar. The right button reads ‘run.’ Click it to on.”

I gnaw on my bottom lip as I push it down.

“Now, the fun part. Right next to it is the start button. Check you’re still in neutral, then when you’re good to go, press down on start.”

I bounce on the seat a little, then calm my excitement. Looking down, the N is still green, so I move my finger to the start button and press down on it.

The bike roars to life, and I unleash a happy squeal, bouncing on my toes as much as the bike will allow.

Void shakes his head. “Keep your cool, Ivy.”

I nod, pulling my shit together. I take in a deep breath as I let the bike warm, release it, then turn to Void. “I can’t believe you’re letting me ride solo.”

“I trust you.” He doesn’t hesitate, or flinch, or waver. He says it so openly and that it fills me with nothing but confidence. “You ready, sweet thing?”

I bob my head. “Yep!”

“Then pull back on the throttle, ease into it, and take the corners slowly. Don’t go too fast, okay?” he calls out, but I have already ridden off and am halfway across the raised concrete section. I’m not going anywhere near fast enough for the wind to whip at my hair, but it’s enough for me to get a feel of the bike and to get even more of a taste of what riding is like. It’s smooth, almost effortless. I have no clue how I’m adapting to this so damn easy, but it’s like this is the only thing I’m meant to do with my life. I want West to open the gates and let me out, let me ride open and free with the wind, but Void absolutely won’t let me do that, so I turn back toward him. The smile on his face is so fucking wide.

Being on a bike is helping significantly with the tension I’m holding onto inside about Dash’s confession. So, I’m just going to let it go and ride. I can’t help but notice Nycto, Eva, and Hawk from Miami standing out with Void, all of them now watching me. I thought having an audience would terrify me, but all it does is spur me on. I want to show them I can do this. I might be little, I might be a virgin, but those things don’t define my character. I’m stronger than they all give me credit for. Right now, it’s like I can do anything.

I ride past them, and Eva laughs and calls out as I go. “Woo-hoo… go, Ivy! You show these guys how it’s done.”

As I turn and head back the way I came, I grin like the Cheshire cat. I wish I could ride forever, but I know I can’t. I have to go back inside at some point, and I shouldn’t waste the gas. Eventually, and hesitantly, I pull to a stop right next to them.

Eva claps loudly as Void comes to my side. He winks at me but continues his lesson. “Okay, to shut her down, hit the run switch to off.”

I move to the right-hand switch and regrettably flick it off. The bike shuts down, the vibration coming to a halt as I inhale sharply.

Void’s eyes connect with mine. “You did great. Well done! Even changed gears at the right time. You’re a natural.”

“That’s my sister, constantly surprising us. You’re amazing, Ivy,” Eva boasts as Nycto stands back with his arms crossed.

“Pretty badass for a small thing like you to ride a bike like that, Ivy. I’m impressed. A little turned on, even—”

“Go get another drink, Hawk.” Void glares at him as I giggle to myself.

“Yep,” Hawk agrees, spinning around and walking back down the ramp to head inside the bunker, stumbling as he goes. He’s already had quite a few, by the looks of it.

“You ride well, Ivy. Void’s doing the right thing teaching you,” Nycto states.

“You think?” I ask excitedly.

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